First 2 weeks of Nov & resort choice

[Jperiod]

We are planning to go the first 2 weeks of Nov and thought our top choices would be VWL, BCV, BWV, and AKV (2 bedrooms).

But with food & wine extended and that marathon, are we kinda crazy to do or try BCV & BWV?

I'm trying to balance proximity to parks and theme as priorities. Most of the MK resorts don't excite us and I'm a little concerned about transportation from VWL to the other parks (no car). We've already stayed at BWV, but it'd be nice to try something new. And AKV is thrown in there because it's always looked interesting to us, but I'm worried about transportation.

BTW, we don't have to stay at the same the whole time, we thought we'd split it in half.

 

[com_op_2000]

Check the availability now. BCV & BWV are the two most popular resorts during F&W.

 

[drusba]

If you own at a DVC resort and have not yet reserved those weeks at your home resort, you would be wise to do so now if the resort is still open. At 7 months out for those weeks, you may find the pickings slim when the time comes. BCV and BWV are not likely to be open except possibly a few days the second week although the extension of Food & Wine may eliminate even that. Also, AKV and VWL both have a risk of having some of the nights filled at 7 nights out at least in the first week and possibly the second (Food & Wine impacts bookings at all resorts). SSR and OKW may be your options, although there is even some risk for those for that first weekend in Nov.

 

[a742246]

I would book you home resort now for those 2 weeks, you can always rebook at the 7 month window. As drusba says those 2 weeks are very competitive.

 

[rseeb]

You could take the boat from WL to the MK and get on the monorail or a bus probably would be faster.

 

[CMNJ]

The boat is a nice leisurely ride but it would not be a fast way to travel to MK to transfer to the monorail-especially if you wind up on the larger size boat that accommodates the ECV. That boat takes a while to load and unload esp if there are a lot of ECV involved (we had four or five that had to load one time) Every time we were waiting for a boat and saw that one coming we groaned-it's great if there are a ton of people waiting in front of you or you have an ECV but it takes (at least) twice as long to load and unload. Bus transportation to Epcot was pretty good (shared with FW) and shared with another MK deluxe resort for AK and DHS. Haven't stayed at BC or BWV but I know they share buses with other resorts too (and AKL has the 2 stops so it isn't that much different than your other choices from a transportation point of view)

 

[dwight16]

good luck getting those hotels for that time.....i would roll back your expectations i just had to jump through hoops to get a 2 bed room at VWL mid October thank god enough points to get it for the week so i can cancel the first 2 days this weekend......your top 3 choices already have days booked during those two weeks and BW is fully booked for November right now only AKL is open. I find that kind of amazing that resort is fully booked before 7th month for oct and nov and probably December. for that kind of trip your probably looking and switching a lot or just go to SSR or OKW that is going to be your best bet....on thing i learned this year i am never going to be using the DVC during OCT to DEC again way to stressful!!!!

 

[CarolMN]

good luck getting those hotels for that time.....i would roll back your expectations i just had to jump through hoops to get a 2 bed room at VWL mid October thank god enough points to get it for the week so i can cancel the first 2 days this weekend......your top 3 choices already have days booked during those two weeks and BW is fully booked for November right now only AKL is open. I find that kind of amazing that resort is fully booked before 7th month for oct and nov and probably December. for that kind of trip your probably looking and switching a lot or just go to SSR or OKW that is going to be your best bet....on thing i learned this year i am never going to be using the DVC during OCT to DEC again way to stressful!!!!

It's mostly stressful for those who are trying to book a near park resort at 7 months.

Food & Wine Festival thru Marathon weekend is arguably the most difficult time of the year to get a DVC reservation at 7 months. If you want to be at one of the near park resorts during that time, you need to own where you want to stay if you are "stress-adverse". Even at 11 months, there are a few booking categories that are tough to get during those times, so the "stress-adverse" need to adjust their expectations to minimize their booking stress. In other words, at 11 months you may need to plan on Lake View at BLT, rather than standard view or Pool/Garden at BWV, rather than standard or Boardwalk view. Consider yourself lucky if you get one of the more limited categories. Due to the relative number of studios, all views of VGF studios are tough to get even at 11 months. The Poly may end up being the same way.

I own at BWV and the only time during the above-mentioned periods that I've been unable to get BWV standard view is when I did not book at 11 months (due to a late decision to make a trip) . JMHO. YMMV.